Along the Oodnadatta Track to Coward Spings

  Oodnadatta, Australia
Thursday, May 21, 2009

Today we finally hit the real outback and dirt roads.  Fill up at Roxby and head onto Borefield Rd to join through to the Oodnadatta Track.  Really desolate country.  35k north of Roxby we come across sand red dunes and clay pans.  We pass the dog proof fence - not sure which side the dogs are on though, and even Occy could jump it if he tried! In the distance to the NE we see what we think is Wilpena Pound.

Not much of else of interest until we hit the Oodnadatta track.  I have to say the road is first class dirt road, some places we topped 105km/hr.  First stop was Screech Owl Creek which is where the Ghan railway has an abandoned rusting bridge.  We had lunch but the flies were shocking. The rocks were all green - so must be copper deposits about.  Along the track we started to get views of Lake Eyre South.  It has water in it - a rare thing - and the area it covers is vast going as far as the eye can see.  The edges though were very salt tinged.  The earth in this area is very soft so I imagine it would be very easy to get bogged.  The lake is 15m below sea level.  We take a track to the edge of the lake for a closer view.  

Next was the last in-tact remaining rail siding on the Ghan at Curdimurka. The rail lines are still present as are the water tower and treatment tank, but they are rusting relics.  The siding building is still used today for B&S balls.
Another abandoned siding of the Ghan at Margaret Ruins.  We took a 6km diversion of the track to visit the Mound Springs, The Bubbler and Blanche Cup.  After Owen telling Kirstyn she should not be off the track he slipped and end up on the other side of the run-off stream.  How he didn't get wet, fall or break something, including the camera, I don't know.  The water was warm but not hot.  The ground was covered in salt from the water drying up and leaving the salt residue. Last stop was Coward Springs to camp.  Another spring, but this one has been made into a spa.  Again not hot at all but it was refreshing to get into.  A fine mist covers the surface of the water and the water leaves you with a gritty slime covering - but very refreshing. Owen enjoyed the swim.